Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 167

167. Aftermath and Currency (2)

On the day Sejong decided to dismantle the Hyanggyo [local schools during the Joseon Dynasty, often associated with Confucian academies],

“Hoo~.”

Minister of Rites, Yi Maeng-gyun, let out a long sigh as he left after the morning assembly. Seeing Yi Maeng-gyun’s face, the other ministers offered him comfort.

“Minister, let’s leave work on time today and have a drink. My treat.”

“Yes, Minister. Let’s go together.”

At the words of his fellow ministers, Yi Maeng-gyun sighed again and nodded.

“I’ve been avoiding alcohol for a while, but I need a drink today. Thank you. Let’s go together.”

“Yes, let’s. Let’s drink until we’re completely drunk today.”

As he was comforted by his fellow ministers and headed to Yukjo Street [the main street where government offices were located], Yi Maeng-gyun gritted his teeth as he crossed the threshold of the Ministry of Rites.

“Damn traitors! Why at a time like this! They deserve to have not just their nine, but ten generations wiped out!”

Yi Maeng-gyun, who was cursing those who had started the revolt and grinding his teeth, summoned the officials of the Ministry of Rites as soon as he entered his office.

When all the officials had gathered, Yi Maeng-gyun opened his mouth with a heavy face.

“Just now, His Majesty’s decision was made in the royal court. The decision His Majesty made is…”

Yi Maeng-gyun paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and continued.

“His Majesty has ordered the Hyanggyo to be dismantled.”

“Yes?”

“Is that true?”

“It’s true.”

At Yi Maeng-gyun’s words, the officials looked at each other with bewildered faces and muttered.

“Then, what about the Munmyo ceremony [a Confucian ritual held to honor scholars and sages]?”

“There’s always Sungkyunkwan [the highest educational institution in Joseon]…”

Seeing the officials talking about the Munmyo ceremony, one of the main duties of the Hyanggyo, Yi Maeng-gyun raised his voice.

“That’s not the problem!”

“If that’s not the problem…”

Among the officials who were looking puzzled at Yi Maeng-gyun’s words, the faces of those who were quick-witted turned pale.

“Could it be! Has the early establishment of the Samin Hakdang (Four Classes Academy) [a proposed educational institution open to all social classes] been decided?”

“Surely not! The establishment of the Samin Hakdang was scheduled after the reform of the government ministries was completed, wasn’t it?”

As those who were quick-witted mentioned ‘Samin Hakdang,’ the faces of the other officials also began to turn pale.

Seeing the expressions of the officials, Yi Maeng-gyun nodded with a heavy expression.

“It hasn’t been officially announced yet, but I and other ministers believe that His Majesty will bring up the issue soon.”

“Why is that?”

Yi Maeng-gyun answered the officials’ question simply.

“Because an unexpected amount of wealth has come in due to the traitors.”

“Ah…”

At Yi Maeng-gyun’s answer, the officials closed their mouths and nodded.

* * *

The educational institution that Sejong named ‘Samin Hakdang’ was a very progressive and unconventional educational institution that could not be seen anywhere else in the world at the time.

At the Samin Hakdang, any child of a commoner, regardless of status or gender, could receive a basic education.

Sejong conceived of the Samin Hakdang while listening to Hyang’s policy presentation.

-Joseon is a small and barren land, and its products are few. In this barren environment, the only thing Joseon can rely on to develop is its people.

-Investing in people means educating them.

-To nurture more talented individuals, we must lower the barriers to education and broaden its scope.

Sejong was deeply impressed by Hyang’s opinion. Sejong’s greatest goal was also the enrichment and strengthening of Joseon, and Hyang’s remarks made Sejong break down the wall that had been blocking him.

“Isn’t this the ideal that the ancient sages dreamed of!”

Sejong, who was struck by Hyang’s vision, established a plan for reform with the basic ideology of ‘expanding both the quantity and quality of education.’

Of course, most of the scholars of the Jiphyeonjeon [Hall of Worthies, a royal research institute], who were helping to improve the completeness of the reform planned by Sejong, showed negative reactions.

“It is ideal, but wouldn’t it be realistically impossible?”

“Educating the children of the four classes [the traditional social hierarchy of Joseon: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants], the intention is good, but… Would the common people, who are barely making a living from day to day, send their children to school?”

At the words of the Jiphyeonjeon scholars, Sejong uttered curses at the scholars of the Jiphyeonjeon in a rough voice.

“Shut your damn mouths right now!”

“Your…”

“Your Majesty! Your words…”

The Jiphyeonjeon scholars tried to object to Sejong’s curse, but Sejong immediately cut them off.

“I said shut up! Do you really want to spread the teachings of the sages in this world! You have become blind, trapped in your petty sense of superiority! Look at the past exam passers right now! Are all those who challenge and pass the civil service exam from the Sadaebu class [scholar-official class]? There are quite a few sons of farmers too! And what? You’re saying the common people won’t send their children to school? What have you seen of the people of Joseon! Are you not ashamed to have heard the word ‘mouth’ after saying that!”

“Please forgive our reckless words!”

At Sejong’s scolding, the Jiphyeonjeon scholars had no choice but to prostrate themselves.

That was how the Samin Hakdang was created.

According to the contents planned for the reform, all the people of Joseon had to send their children to the Samin Hakdang when they were 5 to 7 years old, that is, when they were old enough to express their opinions to some extent, regardless of gender.

What was taught at the Samin Hakdang was basic Chinese characters, arithmetic, and ethics.

Children who received education at the Samin Hakdang could then advance to higher education institutions according to their circumstances and aptitude.

The basic framework was to have those who wanted to advance into government positions or commerce receive education at the Hyanggyo, and those who wanted to advance as soldiers or sailors receive education at the military academy.

And the administrative department in charge of this was scheduled to be the Ministry of Education.

Through the reform, the Ministry of Rites was to be divided into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Education was to be in charge of managing schools and Hyanggyo, managing the entrance examination system including the civil service examination, and other overall educational policies.

However, due to this revolt, a serious disruption occurred in this schedule, and the Hyanggyo, which was identified as a hotbed of subversive elements, was shut down.

* * *

Yi Maeng-gyun continued his explanation.

“Although I only heard it briefly, His Majesty seems to be planning to pay more attention to education, taking this unfortunate incident as a lesson. That means…”

Yi Maeng-gyun paused to moisten his throat and looked at each of the officials as he continued.

“That means, depending on what we do, the size of the budget can increase significantly or decrease.”

When Yi Maeng-gyun mentioned the budget, the eyes of the Ministry of Rites officials began to shine fiercely.

The tax revenue coming into the court was continuously increasing through the encouragement of commerce and the implementation of various economic policies. However, as much as was coming in, there was also a lot going out.

Therefore, the six ministries that made up the court were waging a fierce battle to secure even a little more budget.

If the budget increased, they could increase the number of personnel and boldly implement experimental policies.

The most representative departments were the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Taxation. And recently, the Ministry of Public Works was closely following behind.

Yi Maeng-gyun encouraged the officials of the Ministry of Rites.

“Although we won’t be using all of the property confiscated from the traitors at once, it is certain that there will be a significant increase in the next budget! Let’s say that the budget taken by the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Taxation is unavoidable, and let’s say that the Ministry of Public Works is also unavoidable because of the newly implemented policies! But we cannot let the budget be taken away by other departments! Especially! We cannot let the budget be taken away by the research institute and Area 51 operated by the Crown Prince!”

“That’s right!”

At Yi Maeng-gyun’s words, the officials of the Ministry of Rites answered in unison.

“Do you want to leave work on time!”

“Yes, we do!”

“Do you want to work more comfortably with the influx of new officials!”

“Yes! We do!”

“Then we must move one step ahead! Only then can we secure a more abundant budget! Isn’t that right!”

“Yes. That’s right!”

“Then move!”

“Yes!”

The officials of the Ministry of Rites, who gave an answer like a shout, quickly returned to their seats.

At the same time, similar movements were taking place in other government offices. The officials all had the same thought.

‘More budget ⟶ More personnel ⟶ Relaxed working environment ⟶ Leaving work on time ⟶ Family happiness’

They were the ministers who comforted Yi Maeng-gyun when they came out of the Geunjeongjeon Hall [the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, used for important state ceremonies], but what people think is all the same.

* * *

While the officials of the court were fiercely fighting to secure even a little more budget, the execution of those who had started the rebellion continued steadily.

After the execution of those who had participated in the revolt was over, all that remained was the execution of Yangnyeong and Seo Seon.

“Punish Seo Seon and his family according to the law.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The verdict on Seo Seon was easily concluded, but the problem was Grand Prince Yangnyeong.

Sejong had to deliberate for a long time until the verdict on Grand Prince Yangnyeong was decided.

In his heart, he wanted to end it by handling it according to the law, but Yangnyeong was the eldest son of Taejong, the former Crown Prince, and his own brother.

Whether he killed him or spared him, whatever verdict he made, it was certain that it would continue to be a political burden for Sejong himself.

“What should I do…”

In the end, Sejong’s 고민 (worries) about the punishment for Yangnyeong could not help but deepen.

“This is a problem that even I can’t touch…”

Hyang knew well what Sejong was 고민 (worrying) about, but this time, Hyang couldn’t interfere either.

Even though he was the Crown Prince, it was a very fatal political issue involving the Crown Prince’s father, the King, and his brothers.

As Sejong’s 고민 (worries) deepened like this, Hyoryeong visited Sejong.

“Your Majesty, your complexion is not very good. Your face is full of sorrow.”

At Hyoryeong’s words, Sejong let out a long sigh.

“Hoo~. The burden I bear is too heavy.”

Hyoryeong, who had been quietly looking at Sejong, asked.

“Is it because of the eldest brother?”

At Hyoryeong’s question, Sejong nodded silently.

Hyoryeong, who had been staring at Sejong’s face, quietly 간(諫) (remonstrated) Sejong.

“Dispose of him according to the national law.”

“But he is my brother. He was the eldest son of Father, and he was the Crown Prince.”

“However, Father handed over the throne to Your Majesty instead of the eldest brother. That is the end of everything.”

“Hoo~.”

At Hyoryeong’s words, Sejong let out a long sigh. Hyoryeong continued in a quiet, calm voice.

“Whatever decision Your Majesty makes, it will be a great shackle for Your Majesty. If so, decide to uphold the 엄정함 (strictness) of the law. If you are biased towards 인정 (compassion), it may remain as a bad precedent when a similar incident occurs in the distant future.”

“That’s right.”

Hyoryeong continued in Sejong’s voice, which had no strength at all.

“Anyway, living in this world is like passing through 고해 (a sea of suffering). You have to be constantly wounded and in pain. You will have regrets and guilt over the eldest brother’s matter. But overcome it and make this Joseon bigger and stronger, and make the people live more peacefully. Then the people will praise Your Majesty.”

“That will be my atonement.”

At Hyoryeong’s words, Sejong seemed to have made up his mind. Sejong’s face gradually regained its peace, and strength began to return to his voice.

“Brother, thank you. Thanks to you, I have awakened from my delusion.”

At Sejong’s words, Hyoryeong smiled gently and replied.

“It is the grace of Buddha.”

* * *

Sejong, who had made up his mind at Hyoryeong’s words, announced at the meeting of ministers the next day.

“I will decide on the punishment for the 죄인 (criminal) Yangnyeong.”

At Sejong’s announcement, the ministers swallowed hard, with expressions that said, ‘What was coming has come.’

Sejong paused for a moment and continued.

“According to the law, 죄인 (criminal) Yangnyeong and those of his sons who are over 15 years old will be sentenced to death. However, since he was a member of the royal family, the sentence will be carried out by 사사 (賜死, giving a poisoned drink to kill) rather than 참형 (斬刑, beheading) or 교형 (絞刑, hanging). In addition, 죄인 (criminal) and his family will all be removed from the 선원록 (璿源錄, royal family register), and the remaining members will all be 강등 (降等, demoted) to 서인 (庶人, commoners). All the property of 죄인 (criminal)’s family will be 적몰 (籍沒, confiscated), but 10% will be distributed to those who have been 강등 (降等, demoted) to 서인 (庶人, commoners) so that they can have a minimum standard of living. Finally, those who have been 강등 (降等, demoted) to 서인 (庶人, commoners) will be divided into family units and exiled to the southern sea islands.”

When Sejong’s words were finished, the ministers all bowed their heads.

“We 받듭니다 (obey) the command!”

On the day the sentence was carried out, Yangnyeong, after hearing the story about his family, 절 (bowed) towards Gyeongbokgung Palace.

“Thank you for bestowing your 성은 (grace).”